Phactum - 2006 12 - December

Magazine Overview

Title: Phactum
Issue Date: December 2006
Publisher: Philadelphia Association for Critical Thinking (PhACT)
Document Type: Newsletter

Contents

Christmas Message, 1968 (Poem)

This issue opens with a poem by Tom Napier, titled "Christmas Message, 1968." Originally written in early 1969 after seeing photographs of Earth from the Apollo 8 mission, it was recast as a sonnet twenty years later with a more optimistic conclusion. The poem reflects on humanity's perspective of Earth from space, noting how distances diminish human achievements and how Earth is our only home, a "cage in space." The author hopes its pro-science message is appropriate for Phactum.

Various Ruminations

About the Poem on Page 1: Ray Haupt, the editor, provides context for Tom Napier's poem, highlighting Napier's background as a physicist and skeptic who has now added poetry to his dimensions. He notes that the poem's message is ultimately pro-science.

A Very Merry Christmas: This section recounts the legal battle involving Jim Bergin and Judy Garvey, former members of the "Gentle Winds Project" (GWP), a cultish organization selling New Age health products. Bergin and Garvey actively worked against GWP, which then sued them for defamation. The court ruled in favor of Bergin and Garvey, leading to GWP going out of business. The editor praises this as a victory for critical thinking.

Frontier Science sounds like a wild west shoot out, but its not: This piece discusses an article in the Spring/Summer 2006 edition of *Frontier Perspectives* that explains dowsing through sudden changes in ground conductivity, suggesting it could be used to locate landmines. The author expresses mild skepticism but notes it as a potential mechanism for natural selection improving the gene pool. *Frontier Perspectives* is published by The Center for Frontier Science at Temple University.

2006 theme "The Science of the Miraculous": This mentions the theme of an event or conference, which will consider immeasurable healing energies. ISSSEEM (International Society for the Study of Subtle Energies and Energy Medicine) is noted.

Don't want to be hasty: This brief section notes that Philadelphia City Officials are aware of mathematics, referencing a report in *The Philadelphia Inquirer* about the Board of Revision of Taxes (BRT) and its property tax assessment formula.

Warning about Internet Untruth

Becky Strickland shares an item from *The Guardian* quoting Tim Berners-Lee, creator of the World Wide Web, on the danger of "bad phenomena" eroding the internet's usefulness, particularly the rise of blogging which encourages users to trust inaccurate information. The article notes that this contention is demonstrated on page 5, where a physicist debunks Santa Claus.

Christmas presents and goodies to all .... except Bill Kearney

This section discusses the potential impact of the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board and state legislature on gambling interests. It introduces Bill Kearney, who is crusading against gambling in Pennsylvania after being an addicted gambler. A URL is provided for an article about his mission. The piece notes the recent opening of a casino in Wilkes Barre and another planned for Philadelphia Park, questioning the government's role in promoting vice industries under the guise of "good works."

About Metanexus, a Philadelphia organization reconciling science and religion

This describes the Metanexus Institute, which promotes research and outreach on the constructive engagement of science and religion, aiming to create an intellectual and social movement through collaboration across diverse religious and scientific disciplines. Contact information and website are provided.

The GOP

This section refers to "Global Orgasm for Peace" (GOP), an organization founded by Cindy Sheehan. It describes their plan to create an energy vortex through "Global Orgasm" on December 22nd, coinciding with the PhACT Winter Solstice Party. The intent is to concentrate thoughts on peace to reduce aggression and violence worldwide. This is noted as the First Annual Solstice Synchronized Global Orgasm for Peace, leading up to 2012.

Is there a Santa Claus? A physicist view

This article humorously debunks the existence of Santa Claus from a physics perspective. It calculates the immense speed required for Santa's sleigh to deliver presents globally in 31 hours, estimating it at 650 miles per second (3,000 times the speed of sound). It also calculates the enormous payload of gifts (over 321,300 tons) and the resulting air resistance that would vaporize the reindeer. The article concludes that if Santa ever delivered presents, he would be dead from the forces involved.

Book Review: Malignant Medical Myths: Why Medical Treatment Causes 200,000 Deaths in the USA each Year, and How to Protect Yourself

Reviewed by Tony Noxon, this section discusses Joel M. Kauffman's book. The review draws a parallel to Joseph Conrad's "Heart of Darkness," suggesting the book reveals a dark side of the medical establishment. It highlights the book's arguments that common medical advice (like daily aspirin or low-carbohydrate diets) may not be beneficial, and that cancer cure rates have not significantly improved. The review criticizes drug companies for manipulating clinical trial results, selective publishing, and influencing doctors through gifts and payments. It suggests doctors often rely on outdated or biased information and face pressure to conform to current thinking, leading to "grievous errors and unpleasant truths."

The PhACT Council

This lists the members of the PhACT Council, including Eric Krieg (President), Bob Glickman (Secretary), Ray Haupt (Treasurer), and other members such as Dr. David Cattell, Dr. David Cragin, Greg Lester, Tom Napier, Harry Rothwell, and Becky Strickland.

Phactum Subscription Information

This section explains that Phactum is printed 6 times a year and serves as the main propaganda organ for PhACT. It invites readers to subscribe for $15 per year ($10 for students) and provides an email address for submissions to the editor, Ray Haupt.

Membership and Donation Form

A form is included for readers to join or rejoin PhACT, pay membership dues, or make donations. Contact information for mailing checks is provided.

Cartoons

Two cartoons are included. The first depicts Santa's sleigh crashing, with a character named Biggins lamenting the loss of research funding. The second is a humorous depiction of Charles Darwin with the caption "HAS A POSSE."

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The newsletter consistently promotes skepticism, critical thinking, and a scientific approach to understanding the world. It questions established norms, particularly in areas like medicine and popular beliefs (e.g., Santa Claus). The editorial stance is critical of perceived corruption, misinformation, and the uncritical acceptance of authority, whether in government, industry, or medical institutions. There is a strong emphasis on evidence-based reasoning and the exposure of "myths" and "fraud."